Youngstown, OH Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Youngstown Codified Ordinances Section 913.05 places the duty to maintain public sidewalks squarely on the abutting landowner: where a street has a paved sidewalk, the owner or owners of the abutting land are jointly and severally responsible for keeping the paved sidewalk, the sidewalk area (including driveways) and the grass strip next to it in repair and free from nuisance. If the Engineering Commissioner finds a sidewalk needs to be built, reconstructed or repaired, Section 913.06 requires written notice to the owner, served the way a civil summons is served; anyone who collects rent or pays taxes on the property counts as the owner's agent for that purpose.

Section 913.08 sets the response window: at least fifteen days for construction or reconstruction and at least five days for repairs. Owners who disagree can file a written protest with the Engineering Commissioner under Section 913.11, which goes to a hearing board made up of the Engineering Commissioner, Finance Director and Law Director (or their designees) under Section 913.09; that board can modify, alter or waive the notice's requirements if compliance would cause undue hardship, so long as the waiver does not leave a nuisance or unsafe condition in place.

If the owner does not act within the notice period, Section 913.12 lets the City do the work by contract or with City forces and charge the entire cost to the property; in an emergency the Engineering Commissioner can order temporary repairs, barricading or red-lighting first. Section 913.13 then bills the owner for all construction and permit costs plus an administrative charge of $5.00 or 15% of the construction cost, whichever is larger, due within thirty days, with a 1% discount for prompt payment.